25
Comebacks Ranked
12
Sports Covered
150+
Years of History
28-3
You Know What It Means
Why Comebacks Are the Soul of Sports
Nobody remembers a blowout. Nobody tells their grandchildren about the game where the favorite won comfortably. What we remember -- what we pass down -- are the moments when the impossible happened. When the scoreboard said it was over and the athletes on the field said it was not.
This list spans 150 years, 12 sports, and every continent. It includes team comebacks (28-3, 0-3 in the ALCS), individual redemption arcs (Tiger at Augusta, Ali in Zaire), statistical impossibilities (Leicester at 5000-1), and moments of pure chaos (the Stanford Band Play). Each entry is scored on three dimensions: how dramatic it was, how improbable it was, and how deeply it embedded itself into culture.
As a Purdue engineer turned hedge fund manager, I have a deep appreciation for both the statistical improbability of these events and the human refusal to accept that numbers are destiny. Every comeback on this list is a middle finger to the probability gods.
Glen's Take
I grew up watching sports in Indiana, which means I grew up watching heartbreak. Purdue basketball has broken my heart more times than I can count -- but it also taught me that the pain is what makes the wins transcendent. The 2024 Final Four run felt like years of accumulated scar tissue finally paying dividends.
The common thread in every comeback on this list is the same thing I saw in markets during the 2008 financial crisis: when everyone has given up, the opportunity is greatest. The Patriots were dead at 28-3. Leicester had no business being in the top half of the table, let alone winning the league. Tiger could barely walk two years before he won Augusta. In markets and in sports, the crowd is almost always wrong at the extremes.
My personal top three: Tiger 2019 (the individual redemption arc is unmatched), the 2004 Red Sox (the curse-breaking was cathartic even for non-Red Sox fans), and Liverpool-Barcelona 2019 (because "Corner taken quickly -- ORIGI!" is the single greatest sequence of words in sports commentary this century). But 28-3 gets #1 because the Super Bowl is the biggest stage and the deficit was the most absurd. No debate.
The Rankings
25 moments. 12 sports. 150 years. The greatest comebacks ever witnessed, scored out of 30.
Patriots 28-3 Super Bowl LI
30/30NFL · 2017
The Deficit
Down 28-3 in the third quarter
Why It Matters
Cemented Tom Brady as the undisputed GOAT quarterback. '28-3' became a permanent part of American sports lexicon -- a shorthand for never giving up and never counting anyone out. It redefined what was possible in a championship game and created the single greatest argument-ender in NFL debates: 'Yeah, but 28-3.'
What Happened
The New England Patriots trailed the Atlanta Falcons 28-3 with 8:31 left in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI. No team had ever come back from more than a 10-point deficit in a Super Bowl. Tom Brady orchestrated the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, tying the game with a two-point conversion and winning 34-28 in the first-ever Super Bowl overtime. Brady threw for 466 yards. James White scored the walk-off touchdown. Atlanta's collapse was so total that they ran just 46 plays in the second half while holding the ball for only 7 minutes.
Leicester City Win the Premier League
29/30Soccer (Premier League) · 2016
The Deficit
5000-1 preseason odds
Why It Matters
The greatest upset in the history of team sports. It transcended soccer and became a global symbol of hope for every underdog in every domain. It proved that money, pedigree, and history do not guarantee outcomes. Leicester's title is the single most statistically improbable achievement in modern professional sports.
What Happened
Leicester City, a club that barely avoided relegation the previous season, won the English Premier League at 5000-to-1 odds. For context, bookmakers gave better odds to finding Elvis alive. Led by journeyman striker Jamie Vardy, PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez, and unheralded manager Claudio Ranieri, Leicester beat clubs with 10x their budget. They lost only three league matches all season in a league dominated by billionaire-backed superclubs.
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (UCL Semi-Final)
29/30Soccer (Champions League) · 2019
The Deficit
Down 3-0 on aggregate after first leg
Why It Matters
Became the defining moment of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool era. 'Corner taken quickly -- ORIGI!' is tattooed on thousands of fans. Liverpool went on to win the Champions League. It proved that belief, intensity, and home support can overcome any talent gap. The image of Barcelona's players frozen in shock became an instant meme and a permanent symbol of complacency.
What Happened
Liverpool lost the first leg 3-0 at Barcelona's Camp Nou. No team had ever overturned a 3-goal deficit at that stage of the Champions League. Missing their two best attackers (Salah and Firmino were both injured), Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield. Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum scored two each. The iconic moment: Trent Alexander-Arnold's quick corner kick caught Barcelona sleeping, Origi smashed it home, and Anfield produced the loudest sound ever recorded at a football match.
Cavaliers Overcome 3-1 Deficit vs Warriors
29/30NBA Finals · 2016
The Deficit
Down 3-1 in the series
Why It Matters
Delivered Cleveland its first championship since 1964. LeBron fulfilled his promise to bring a title home. The Block, The Shot, and The Stop became a holy trinity of NBA lore. It denied the Warriors the perfect coda to the greatest regular season ever and directly led to Kevin Durant joining Golden State.
What Happened
The Cleveland Cavaliers trailed the 73-9 Golden State Warriors 3-1 in the NBA Finals. The Warriors had set the all-time regular season wins record. No team had ever come back from 3-1 down in an NBA Finals. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving combined for 82 points in Game 5. LeBron had a 41-point triple-double in Game 6. In Game 7, LeBron's chase-down block on Andre Iguodala and Kyrie's clutch three-pointer sealed a 93-89 win and Cleveland's first major sports championship in 52 years.
Red Sox Reverse Sweep Yankees (ALCS)
29/30MLB · 2004
The Deficit
Down 0-3 in the series
Why It Matters
Led directly to Boston breaking the Curse of the Bambino with a World Series sweep. Reversed 86 years of heartbreak. Dave Roberts' stolen base is the single most important play in Red Sox franchise history. The rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox has never been the same.
What Happened
The Boston Red Sox were down 0-3 to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. No team in MLB history had ever come back from 0-3 in a postseason series. Dave Roberts' stolen base in Game 4 sparked the rally. David Ortiz hit walk-off heroics in Games 4 and 5. Curt Schilling pitched Game 6 with a sutured ankle tendon (the famous 'Bloody Sock' game). The Red Sox won four straight to complete the most improbable comeback in baseball history.
Tiger Woods Wins the 2019 Masters
29/30Golf · 2019
The Deficit
Career written off after back surgeries, scandals, DUI arrest
Why It Matters
The greatest individual comeback in sports history. Tiger's victory at Augusta was about more than golf -- it was a redemption arc that captivated people who had never watched a golf tournament. His embrace with his children behind the 18th green mirrored his embrace with his father Earl after his first Masters win in 1997. The circle was complete.
What Happened
Tiger Woods won the Masters at age 43, his first major championship in 11 years. Between 2008 and 2019, he endured a devastating public divorce, multiple back surgeries (including spinal fusion), a DUI arrest where he was found asleep at the wheel on painkillers, and dropped to 1,199th in the world rankings. He could barely walk, let alone swing a golf club. Then he won the most prestigious tournament in golf, finishing at 13-under with a final-round 70 to win by one shot.
Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman (Rumble in the Jungle)
29/30Boxing · 1974
The Deficit
Massive underdog against the most feared heavyweight in history
Why It Matters
The most famous boxing match in history. Ali proved that intelligence beats raw power. The Rope-a-Dope entered the English language as a metaphor for strategic patience. The fight happened in Africa, giving it a cultural and political significance that transcended sport. Norman Mailer and George Plimpton wrote books about it. It remains the template for every 'genius underdog' story ever told.
What Happened
Muhammad Ali, age 32 and considered past his prime, fought 25-year-old George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Foreman was the most devastating puncher in heavyweight history -- he had destroyed both Joe Frazier and Ken Norton (who had each beaten Ali). Ali deployed the 'Rope-a-Dope,' leaning against the ropes and letting Foreman exhaust himself for seven rounds. In the eighth round, Ali exploded with a combination and knocked out the exhausted Foreman.
Miracle on Ice -- USA Hockey
30/30Ice Hockey (Olympics) · 1980
The Deficit
College kids vs the best hockey team on Earth
Why It Matters
Happened during the Cold War, just months after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Iran hostage crisis. It was far more than a hockey game -- it was a proxy battle between two superpowers. The victory ignited a wave of American patriotism and is consistently voted the greatest moment in American sports history. The phrase 'Do you believe in miracles?' is embedded in the DNA of American culture.
What Happened
A team of American college students defeated the Soviet Union's professional hockey team 4-3 in the medal round of the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. The Soviets had won gold in six of the previous seven Olympics and had demolished the NHL All-Stars 6-0 in a pre-tournament exhibition. The US team's average age was 21. Mike Eruzione scored the go-ahead goal in the third period. Al Michaels' 'Do you believe in miracles?' call became the most famous words in American sports broadcasting.
Barcelona 6-1 vs PSG (UCL Round of 16)
28/30Soccer (Champions League) · 2017
The Deficit
Down 4-0 on aggregate after first leg
Why It Matters
Known as 'La Remontada' (The Comeback). The sheer mathematical improbability of needing three goals in stoppage time and actually getting them made it one of the most shared sports moments in social media history. It set records for tweets per minute and YouTube views for a soccer highlight. It proved that in knockout football, nothing is ever truly over.
What Happened
Barcelona needed to score six goals without reply after losing 4-0 in Paris. No team had ever overturned a 4-goal deficit in Champions League knockout history. Barca scored three in the first half but PSG equalized, meaning Barcelona now needed three more. In the most insane final seven minutes in football history, Neymar scored a free kick (88'), converted a penalty (91'), and Sergi Roberto poked home the winner in the 95th minute to complete the 6-1 rout. The aggregate: 6-5.
Man United Win the Treble -- UCL Final vs Bayern Munich
28/30Soccer (Champions League) · 1999
The Deficit
Down 1-0 with the clock past 90 minutes
Why It Matters
Clive Tyldesley's 'And Solskjaer has won it!' is the most replayed commentary line in English football. It completed the most famous treble in European football history. Sir Alex Ferguson called it his greatest moment. The drama of winning in literal stoppage time, with the trophy already engraved, makes it the ultimate last-gasp victory.
What Happened
Manchester United trailed Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League Final at Camp Nou with the match clock past 90 minutes. Bayern had hit the woodwork twice and dominated the match. UEFA officials had already attached Bayern's ribbons to the trophy. In injury time, Teddy Sheringham equalized (91') and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stabbed home the winner (93'). Two goals in three minutes to win the treble -- Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season.
Red Sox Break the Curse of the Bambino
27/30MLB (World Series) · 2004
The Deficit
86 years without a championship, coming off the 0-3 ALCS comeback
Why It Matters
Ended the most famous curse in American sports. Generations of Red Sox fans who never saw a championship finally got one. The emotional release was enormous -- fans visited graveyards to tell deceased relatives. It fundamentally changed the identity of the Red Sox franchise from lovable losers to legitimate dynasty (three more titles followed in the next 14 years).
What Happened
After completing the historic ALCS comeback against the Yankees, the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 to win their first World Series since 1918. The team was fueled by the 'Idiots' mentality -- Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, and Johnny Damon played with a looseness that defied 86 years of pressure. The final out came on a lunar eclipse, which Red Sox fans took as cosmic confirmation that the curse was truly broken.
Novak Djokovic's Serial Grand Slam Comebacks
26/30Tennis · 2021
The Deficit
Down two sets in multiple Grand Slam matches
Why It Matters
Djokovic's comebacks are not single events -- they are a pattern that defines his entire career. He has the best five-set record in tennis history. His ability to raise his level when facing elimination has earned him the 'Djoker' nickname and forced the tennis world to redefine what mental toughness means. He turned being two sets down from a death sentence into a minor inconvenience.
What Happened
Djokovic has come back from two sets down in Grand Slam matches more than any player in history. The most iconic: the 2021 French Open Final where he beat Tsitsipas after losing the first two sets, making him the first man in 50 years to do so in a Roland Garros final. He also came back from two sets down against Federer in the 2011 US Open semi-final and in the 2019 Wimbledon Final, saving two championship points. His mental resilience in five-set matches is statistically unprecedented.
Bills 41-38 Comeback vs Oilers (AFC Wild Card)
27/30NFL · 1993
The Deficit
Down 35-3 in the third quarter
Why It Matters
The benchmark for all NFL comebacks. '35-3' is the NFL's version of '28-3' -- except it happened first and was even more extreme. Frank Reich's performance as a backup quarterback became legendary. The comeback was so improbable that multiple Houston players later said they assumed the game was over at halftime and mentally checked out.
What Happened
The Buffalo Bills trailed the Houston Oilers 35-3 early in the third quarter of an AFC Wild Card playoff game. Backup quarterback Frank Reich (the starter Jim Kelly was injured) led the Bills back, throwing three touchdown passes. Andre Reed caught eight passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Bills tied it at 38-38 and won 41-38 in overtime on a Steve Christie field goal. It remains the largest comeback in NFL history.
Secretariat Wins the Belmont Stakes by 31 Lengths
27/30Horse Racing · 1973
The Deficit
Not a deficit -- a performance so dominant it defied belief
Why It Matters
Widely considered the single greatest athletic performance by any creature in recorded history. The margin of victory has never been approached. His Belmont time has not been broken in over five decades. Secretariat transcended horse racing and became a metaphor for dominance itself. His final quarter-mile of :24 flat remains the fastest closing quarter in Belmont history.
What Happened
Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, completing the Triple Crown and setting a track record of 2:24 that still stands over 50 years later. He ran each quarter-mile faster than the last -- negative splits in a 1.5-mile race, which is physiologically supposed to be impossible. His performance was so extraordinary that his heart, discovered after death, weighed 22 pounds -- more than twice the size of a normal horse's heart. He did not just win. He lapped the field.
Michael Jordan's Flu Game
27/30NBA Finals · 1997
The Deficit
Series tied 2-2, Jordan severely ill with food poisoning
Why It Matters
The Flu Game became the ultimate symbol of Jordan's competitive will. The image of a visibly ill Jordan being supported by Pippen is one of the most iconic photographs in NBA history. It crystallized Jordan's mythology: he was not just the most talented player, he was the one who could will himself to perform when his body was failing him. Every athlete who plays through illness or injury is now compared to Jordan's Flu Game.
What Happened
Michael Jordan woke up the morning of Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals in Utah with severe food poisoning (or flu -- the debate continues). He could barely stand during warmups. His trainer Tim Grover considered telling Phil Jackson that Jordan couldn't play. Instead, Jordan scored 38 points, including a clutch three-pointer, then collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms as the Bulls won 90-88. The Bulls went on to win the series in six games.
Oracle Team USA America's Cup Comeback
26/30Sailing (America's Cup) · 2013
The Deficit
Down 8-1 in a first-to-9 series
Why It Matters
The greatest comeback in sailing history and arguably the greatest in any individual sporting event series. New Zealand was so heavily favored at 8-1 that their government had already begun planning the victory parade. Oracle's comeback combined technical innovation, tactical brilliance, and pure nerve. Larry Ellison spent over $100 million defending the Cup, making it perhaps the most expensive comeback in sports history.
What Happened
Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA trailed Emirates Team New Zealand 8-1 in the 34th America's Cup, needing to win 8 consecutive races just to force a decider. Led by skipper Jimmy Spithill and newly hired tactician Ben Ainslie, Oracle reeled off eight straight victories to win the Cup 9-8. They made massive technical changes to their catamaran between races, essentially rebuilding the boat mid-series. The final race was won by 44 seconds after Oracle came from behind on the final leg.
Roger Federer Wins the 2017 Australian Open
26/30Tennis · 2017
The Deficit
Six months off with a knee injury, age 35, unseeded at a Slam
Why It Matters
Federer's comeback silenced everyone who had written him off as a declining champion. It launched a late-career renaissance that included three more Grand Slam titles. The Federer-Nadal final was the rivalry's most emotional chapter. It proved that greatness at 35 is possible with the right combination of talent, fitness, and an overwhelming refusal to accept decline.
What Happened
Roger Federer returned from a six-month injury layoff at age 35 and won the Australian Open. He was ranked 17th and hadn't won a Grand Slam in nearly five years. He beat four top-10 players en route to the final, including defeating Rafael Nadal in five sets to win the championship. In the final, Federer trailed by a break in the fifth set before rallying to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. He cried during the trophy ceremony.
Germany 7-1 Brazil (World Cup Semi-Final)
29/30Soccer (World Cup) · 2014
The Deficit
Not a comeback -- the most shocking collapse in football history
Why It Matters
While not a comeback in the traditional sense, the implosion was so total, so unexpected, and so culturally devastating that it earned its place alongside the greatest upsets. '7-1' became a universal internet shorthand for catastrophic failure. In Brazil, it is referred to simply as 'O Mineirazo.' The match fundamentally altered Brazilian football's self-image and sparked a national conversation about the state of the sport.
What Happened
Host nation Brazil was demolished 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final at Belo Horizonte. Germany scored five goals in 18 first-half minutes. The stadium fell silent, then Brazilian fans began crying openly. Players stood in shock. It was the worst defeat in Brazilian football history and the most lopsided World Cup semi-final ever. Brazil, five-time champions playing at home, had been expected to reach the final. Instead they suffered the most humiliating defeat in the sport's history.
Stanford Band Play ('The Play')
27/30College Football · 1982
The Deficit
Down by 1 with 4 seconds left on the kickoff
Why It Matters
The Play is the most chaotic, improbable, and visually absurd finish in American football history. The image of Kevin Moen running through a marching band is burned into college football lore. It is replayed every November during rivalry week. The trombone player, Gary Tyrrell, became an unlikely celebrity. It is proof that in sports, the game is not over until it is actually over -- and sometimes not even then.
What Happened
With four seconds remaining and trailing 20-19, Cal received a kickoff from Stanford and executed five lateral passes as players from both teams swarmed the field. The Stanford band, believing the game was over, had already marched onto the field. Cal's Kevin Moen weaved through band members and dove into the end zone, bowling over a trombone player, to score the winning touchdown as time expired. The officials deliberated for several minutes before confirming the score.
Auburn Kick Six vs Alabama
27/30College Football · 2013
The Deficit
Tied with 1 second left, Alabama attempting a game-winning field goal
Why It Matters
The Kick Six is the most replayed play in college football history. The call -- 'Chris Davis is gonna drop back in the end zone... he'll run it out to the 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 45 -- THERE GOES DAVIS! DAVIS IS GONNA RUN IT ALL THE WAY BACK! AUBURN'S GONNA WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME!' -- is universally known. It changed the game: teams now routinely put returners deep on long field goal attempts.
What Happened
The Iron Bowl -- the most heated rivalry in college football -- was tied 28-28 with one second remaining. Alabama attempted a 57-yard field goal that fell short. Auburn's Chris Davis caught the ball nine yards deep in his own end zone and returned it 109 yards for a touchdown as time expired. The entire Alabama sideline stood frozen. Auburn's sideline erupted. The play ended the #1-ranked Crimson Tide's undefeated season and sent Auburn to the SEC Championship Game.
Purdue Basketball Upsets (#1 Seeds and March Madness Runs)
22/30NCAA Basketball · 2024
The Deficit
Perpetual underdog status; heartbreaking losses fueling eventual redemption
Why It Matters
As a Purdue alum, this one is personal. Purdue basketball represents everything I love about sports: a program that does things the right way, develops talent, and competes against blue-blood programs with deeper pockets and more five-star recruits. The heartbreak makes the victories sweeter. Boiler Up.
What Happened
Purdue basketball has a rich history of punching above its weight in March Madness. The Boilermakers knocked off multiple #1 seeds over the decades and produced NBA talent like Rick Mount, Glenn Robinson, and Zach Edey. The 2024 run to the National Championship game -- led by Zach Edey's dominance in the paint -- was the culmination of years of heartbreak, including the infamous 2019 loss to Virginia where Carsen Edwards scored 42 points but still fell in overtime. Every Purdue fan carries the scars of close losses and the pride of a program that never stops competing.
Italy Win Euro 2020 on Penalties
25/30Soccer (European Championship) · 2021
The Deficit
Fallen giants who missed the 2018 World Cup entirely
Why It Matters
Italy's redemption arc from missing the World Cup to winning a European Championship in three years was remarkable. Winning on penalties at Wembley -- beating England in their own stadium -- made it even more dramatic. The celebrations in Rome were euphoric. For Italy, it proved that La Nazionale could reinvent itself. For England, it extended their trophy drought and became another chapter in the 'It's coming home' heartbreak saga.
What Happened
Italy failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup -- the first time in 60 years. They were considered washed. Then Roberto Mancini rebuilt the team around young talent and an attacking philosophy that was the opposite of Italy's historic defensive identity. They went on a 34-match unbeaten run and beat England in the Euro 2020 Final on penalties at Wembley. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka all missed for England. Gianluigi Donnarumma was heroic in goal.
Lewis Hamilton Abu Dhabi 2021 (and Its Controversy)
27/30Formula 1 · 2021
The Deficit
Hamilton leading the race, only to lose the championship on the final lap
Why It Matters
The result changed the record books and cost Hamilton what would have been a sole-record eighth championship. The FIA later acknowledged that the rules were not correctly applied and fired race director Masi. It spawned lawsuits, conspiracy theories, and a fundamental restructuring of F1 race control procedures. The debate over whether Hamilton was robbed or Verstappen earned it will never be resolved.
What Happened
Lewis Hamilton was cruising toward a record eighth World Championship, leading Max Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A late safety car compressed the field. Race director Michael Masi controversially allowed only the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves (not all lapped cars as per protocol), then restarted the race with one lap to go. Verstappen, on fresh tires, overtook Hamilton on the final lap to win the championship. It was the most controversial finish in F1 history.
Borg vs McEnroe -- 1980 Wimbledon Final
27/30Tennis · 1980
The Deficit
Borg saved 7 championship points in the fourth-set tiebreak
Why It Matters
The fourth-set tiebreak is the most famous single game in tennis history. Borg's icy calm against McEnroe's volcanic emotion created the sport's defining contrast. The match elevated tennis from a country club sport to a mainstream spectacle. It was the peak of the Borg-McEnroe rivalry -- the Ice Man versus the Brat -- and it remains the standard against which every great tennis final is measured.
What Happened
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe played what many consider the greatest tennis match in history. Borg led two sets to one, but McEnroe took the fourth set to a tiebreak that lasted 20 minutes. McEnroe saved five match points and had seven championship points of his own, but Borg saved all seven. McEnroe won the tiebreak 18-16 to force a fifth set. Borg then won the fifth set 8-6 to claim his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title.
Chicago Cubs End the 108-Year Curse
28/30MLB (World Series) · 2016
The Deficit
108 years without a championship; down 3-1 in the World Series
Why It Matters
The Cubs' curse was not just a sports story -- it was a generational identity. Fans who had waited their entire lives, and whose parents and grandparents had waited their entire lives, finally got closure. Game 7 had everything: a blown lead, a rain delay, extra innings, and a hero (Zobrist) who came through in the biggest moment. It was the most watched baseball game in 25 years and an emotional catharsis for millions.
What Happened
The Chicago Cubs had not won the World Series since 1908 -- the longest championship drought in North American professional sports. In 2016, they fell behind the Cleveland Indians 3-1 in the World Series. They rallied to force Game 7, which went to extra innings after a dramatic rain delay. Ben Zobrist's RBI double in the 10th inning broke the tie. The Cubs won 8-7 to end 108 years of heartbreak. When the final out was recorded, Cubs fans around the world wept.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the greatest comeback in sports history?
The Patriots' 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl LI is the most commonly cited greatest comeback in sports history. Down 25 points in the third quarter of the biggest game on Earth, with the greatest quarterback ever orchestrating the rally, in the first-ever Super Bowl overtime -- the combination of stage, deficit, and execution is unmatched. However, Leicester City winning the Premier League at 5000-1 odds is the most statistically improbable team sports achievement ever. The answer depends on whether you weight drama (28-3) or improbability (5000-1).
What is the biggest upset in sports history?
Leicester City winning the 2015-16 Premier League at 5000-to-1 odds is the biggest upset in the history of team sports by any objective statistical measure. For context, bookmakers gave better odds to finding the Loch Ness Monster, Elvis being found alive, or Christmas being cancelled. In individual sports, Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson in 1990 at 42-1 odds is the most famous single-event upset.
Has any team come back from 0-3 in a best-of-seven series?
Yes, but it is extraordinarily rare. The 2004 Boston Red Sox are the most famous example, coming back from 0-3 against the Yankees in the ALCS. In the NHL, it has happened five times, most notably the 2010 Flyers against the Bruins and the 2014 Kings against the Sharks. In the NBA, it has never happened in the Finals, but the Cavaliers' 3-1 comeback in 2016 is the closest equivalent at that level.
What is the greatest individual comeback in sports?
Tiger Woods winning the 2019 Masters is the greatest individual comeback in sports history. The depth of his fall -- public divorce, multiple back surgeries, a DUI arrest, dropping from #1 to 1,199th in the world -- combined with the magnitude of his comeback (winning the Masters at 43) makes it unparalleled. Monica Seles returning to competitive tennis after being stabbed on court and Muhammad Ali regaining the heavyweight title after a three-year ban are also in the conversation.
Why is the Miracle on Ice considered so significant?
The 1980 Miracle on Ice transcended sports because of its geopolitical context. It happened during the Cold War, months after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and during the Iran hostage crisis. A team of American college students defeating the dominant Soviet professional team was seen as a proxy victory for democracy over communism. It is consistently voted the greatest moment in American sports history and spawned a major motion picture. The cultural impact far exceeded what the actual game result would suggest in isolation.
What is the biggest comeback in NFL history?
The Buffalo Bills' comeback from 35-3 down against the Houston Oilers in the 1993 AFC Wild Card game is the largest comeback in NFL history. The Patriots' 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl LI is the largest in Super Bowl history and arguably more significant because of the stage. The Minnesota Vikings' 2022 comeback from 33-0 down against the Indianapolis Colts (winning 39-36 in OT) matched the Bills' regular-season record.
Are there any comebacks in sports that were controversial?
The most controversial comeback/result on this list is Lewis Hamilton losing the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to a race director decision that the FIA later acknowledged was incorrectly applied. The 1999 Champions League Final is controversial because Bayern Munich hit the woodwork multiple times and dominated the match, only to lose in stoppage time. The Stanford Band Play is technically controversial because the officials spent several minutes determining whether the laterals were all legal (they ruled they were).
What makes a great comeback versus just a good one?
Three factors separate a great comeback from a good one: the magnitude of the deficit (how deep the hole was), the stage (a Super Bowl matters more than a regular season game), and the cultural aftermath (does it enter the lexicon?). The Patriots' 28-3 scores perfectly on all three. A 28-3 comeback in Week 4 would be a great highlight. In the Super Bowl, it became the most famous number combination in American sports. Context is everything.
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